Studio couch



E. E. WOLLER Nov. 8, 1938.

STUDIO COUCH Filed May 25, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet l h MEQ, @w

QN, Nm. NNQ |T Zia/Q Mor NOV. 8, 1938. E, E WQLLER A2,135,687

STUDIO COUGH E. E. WOLLER Nom 8, 1938.

STUDIO COUGH 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 26, 1936 Nh/ uw. o

E. E. WOLLER Nov. 8, i938.

STUDIO COUCH Filed May 26, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 MW ...www

7% @izmfj Patented Nov. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES STUDIO COUCH Edward E. Woller, Kenosha, Wis., assignor to Simmons Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application May 26, 1936, Serial N0. 81,833

1o claims.

This invention relates tol improvements in studio couches and relates particularly to studio couches of the type embodying two couch sections one of which is movable relative to the other and one of which is collapsible so as to fit under and be concealed by the other when the use of both sections is not required.

The main objects of the invention are to provide a studio couch structure of the type indicated, wherein vthe movable section is freely and easily movable so as to facilitate opening and closing of the structure; to provide such a structure wherein the collapsible section may be raised or lowered with the greatest of ease; to provide an arrangement whereby the collapsible section may be caused to automatically adust itself from lowered or collapsed position to raised or bed position as an incident to extension of the couch; to provide means for eectively locking the two sections in relatively extended position; to provide means for maintaining the sections in their normal cooperative relation, but which means is readily disengageable to permit separation of the sections for use independently of each other; and in general, it is the object of the invention to provide an improved studio couchstructure of the type indicated.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be understood by reference to the following specification and accompanying drawings (4 sheets), wherein there is illustrated an improved studio couch construction and certain modications thereof embodying the invention.

In the drawings: l

'Fig 1 is a transverse section through a studio couch embodying the improved construction and showing the parts in their normal, collapsed or telescoped relation to each other, one of the sections being also shown'in dotted lines in its extended (but not raised) position relative to the other.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section similar to Fig. 1, but showing the sections in their extended coa operative bed position.

Fig. 3 is a plan section on the line 3-3 of Fig. l, but showing the two couch sections in partially extended relation.

Fig. 4 is a sectional illustration approximately 'on the line li-li of Fig. 2, but showing the parts in the position they occupy when the collapsible section is folded and telescoped under the other section.

Fig. 5 is a section approximately on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, representing the relationship of (oi. s-zii certain parts when the collapsible couch section is in its lowered or collapsed condition. v

Fig. 6 is a section similar to Fig. 5, but showing the relationship of the same parts when the collapsible couch section vis extended and raised to 5 bed position.

Fig. 7 is a perspective illustrating certain operating mechanism for eiecting lowering of the collapsible couch section.

Fig. 8 is a section similar to Fig. 1, but showing 10 the outer or main section as the movable section and the collapsible section as the normally stationary section.

Fig. 9 is a section similar to Fig. 8, but showing the parts in their extended bed position. 15

Fig. 10 is an end elevation. of the structure shown in Fig. 9, but modied to incorporate means for automatically eecting raising of the collapsible section.

Fig. 11 is a section on the line ii-H of Fig. 10. 20

Fig. 12 is a section corresponding to Fig. il, but showing the parts in the position in which they appear when the collapsible couch section is folded, and f' Fig. 13 is a section on the line 13-13 of Fig. 12. 25

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1, a main normally stationary couch section designated 20, said section embodying a suitable metallic frame made of angle iron or the like, all parts of which are designated 2i, certain of 30 said parts constituting supporting legs. and a bed bottom frame. Suitable bed bottom fabric indicated at 22 is stretched within said bed bottom frame and serves to support a suitable mattress or cushion 23. The main couch section may be 35 suitably enclosed with wood as indicated at 24, or upholstered in any conventional manner to provide the desired appearance.

A movable and collapsible or foldable couch section is designated 25, the same being shown in Fig. 1 in its telescoped position within the main section 20. The movable section comprises a main frame 26 of angle iron or other suitable construction which supports bed bottom fabric of any suitable type such as indicated at 21. The main frame of the fold'able section is supported by pairs of crossed legs at its opposite ends, each pair of crossed legs comprising angle iron members such as 28 and 29 which are pivoted together intermediate their ends as indicated at 30. Suitr able brackets may be secured to the respective leg members for receiving the pivot 30 as indicated in the drawings. The lower ends of the legs 28 and 29 are provided with roller casters 3|, 3l. The upper ends of the legs are connected to the end of the frame so as to permit folding of the legs to a position closely approximating a coplanar u relation in which the foldable section may be slid or rolled into the space within the main couch section 20.

The upper end of the leg 29 is pivoted directly as indicated at 32 to the end of the frame 26. The leg 28 is connected to the frame through the agency of a rock arm 33 which is secured at one end to a shaft 34 so as to be rotatable with the shaft. The other end of the rock arm 33 is pivoted as indicated at 35 to the upper end of the leg 28 through the agency of a suitable bracket which is secured to the upper end of the leg as indicated in the drawings.

The shaft 34 is rotatably mounted in suitable bearing brackets such as indicated at 36, which brackets are suitably secured to the frame ends in proper position as most clearly illustrated in Fig. 7. The various brackets may be attached by riveting, welding, or otherwise, to the legs, frame parts, etc., to which they are rigidly secured.

At one end of the collapsible section (or at both ends if preferred), there is provided a lever mechanism for effecting folding of the legs for the purpose of collapsing the couch. The said lever arrangement is best illustrated in Fig. '1, and also appears in Figs. l, 2 and 3. Said lever mechanism includes a hand lever 31 which is pivoted as indicated at 38 to the outside of the end member of the main frame 2B, the pivot 38 being located intermediate the ends of the lever. A guard member 39 overlaps the hand lever and is mounted on the end member of the main frame 26 in properly spaced relation thereto so as to permit the hand lever to be rocked between the frame end and said guard member. Said guard member may be maintained in spaced relation adjacent its ends by means of spacers 40, 40, as indicated in Fig. 3.

The lower end of the hand lever 31 is connected by means of a link 4l to the rock arm 33, the said link being pivoted as indicated at 42 to the rock arm 33 and as indicated at 43, to the lower end of the hand lever 31. The rock arm 33 is provided with a stop pin 44 which is adapted to engage a shoulder 45 provided on the bracket 36 to limit the rocking movement of the rock arm 33 in the leg unfolding direction. The said stop means serves to determine the extent of unfolding movement of the legs and hence the extent of elevation of the main frame of the collapsible member.

By inspection of Fig. 2, it will be observed that the centers of the pivots 34, 42 and 43 are not in alignment so that upon upward and outward swinging movement of the upper end of the hand lever 31, the rock arm 33 may be caused to swing in a counterclockwise direction about the axis of the shaft 34. Such swinging movement of the rock arm 33 will, of course, effect relative folding movement of the legs 28 and 29 and the parts are so designed that the folding movement will be carried on until the legs and frame 26 reach the position indicated in Fig. 1. Any suitable stop means may be provided for stopping the folding movement of the legs at the point indicated in Fig. l, and in this instance the stop is effected by engagement of the upper end portion of the leg 23 with the shaft 34 as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The upper end of the leg is illustrated as having been recessed to receive the shaft and to thereby permit the` desired folding movement.

It will be understood that the legs 28 at both ends of the collapsible couch section are connected to arms such as 33 which are secured to the shaft 34. Hence, when the hand lever 31 is actuated as above described, the legs at both ends of the couch will be caused to fold in the manner explained.

A helical spring 46 has its opposite ends connected to upper portions of the legs 23 and 29 through the agency of suitable brackets as indicated in the drawings. Such springs may be provided at both ends of the couch. The springs 46 are of such length and strength that when the collapsible couch section is in its extended and raised position, they are under only slight or no tension. Hence the springs do not initially offer material resistance to the lowering movement of the section as initiated by operation of the hand lever 31.

It will be noted that the pivoted crossed leg arrangement described, has a normal tendency to be self-folding so as to effect collapsing of the couch. Self-folding is, however., adequately prevented by the described arrangement since there is sufficient upward thrust in the leg 28 to prevent downward swinging movement of the upper end of the leg about the axis of the shaft 34, notwithstanding the said normal tendency to effect self-folding movement. Also, when the foldable couch section is occupied by a person, the added weight thereon amplii'les the locking effect of the described arrangement.

In effecting lowering or folding of the collapsible couch section, the handle 31 is swung upwardly and outwardly until the direction of the thrusts which control the folding movement are changed so that the thrust which tends to effect self-folding overcomes the thrusts which tend to effect locking in raised position whereupon the couch gently lowers itself. The springs 46, of course, serve to cushion the lowering movement so as to avoid jars and shocks. Merely for purposes of explanation and without attempting to indicate with exactness, it may be said that the self-folding movement may commence when the centers of the pivots 34, 35 and 36 are in alignment. Hence it will appear that the extent of folding movement which must be initiated through the agency of the hand lever 31 is only a relatively small portion of the entire folding movement.

A mattress or other suitable cushion 41 is supported on the bed spring structure 21 of the collapsible section and a suitable finishing element 48 is secured to the front side member of the collapsible section main frame 26. The finishing member 48 may be in the form of a wood panel having its front face finished or upholstered to match the finish of the stationary section, and said element 48 may be suitably shaped so as to provide representations of legs indicated at 46 at its ends. However, the legs are not required for supporting'the structure, the same being adequately supported by its caster engagement with the floor.

The stationary and movable couch sections are preferably connected by means of a device which will serve to maintain the two sections in predetermined spaced relation during the relative horizontal movement therebetween, thereby to facilitate withdrawal or telescoping of the collapsible section relative to the stationary section. In this instance, the device just referred to is also arranged to lock the movable and stationary sections in predetermined spaced relation sections so as to be pivotally and slidably mov- 2,135,6,87 'when the collapsible section is elevated to bed position, the device being also such that it may be readily disconnected to permit complete separation ofthe two couch sections for independent use.

The connecting device just referred to consists in this instance of a pair of elongated, generally longitudinally extending crossed bars 50 and 5I', the same being pivoted together intermediate their ends as indicated at 52. The crossed members 50, 5I constitute a simple lazy tong device which has one pair of ends pivoted respectively as indicated at 53 and 54 to the stationary and movable sections respectively. The other pair of ends of the lazy tong device are connected respectively to the movable and stationary couch able longitudinally of the respective sections. As best shown in Fig. 3, the end 55 of the lazy tong device is provided with a pin 56y which is adapted to move longitudinally of the stationary section in a slot 51 provided in a frame element 58 'of the stationary section. The frame element 58 is suitably secured rigidly toA frame portions 2| of the stationary section and the pivotal connection 53 of the lazy tong member 50 is made to said member 58. .The end 59 of the lazy tong member is similarly connected to a tie bar 60 of the movable couch section, said connection comprising a pin 6i carried by the end portion 59 of the lazy tong and a slot 62 in the tie bar 60. The tie bar 5l! extends longitudinally of the collapsible .couch section and is rigidly secured at its opposite ends to the lower end portions of the legs 29. The tie bar B0' serves to maintain the lower ends of the legs 29 at opposite ends of the couch in properly spaced relation.l The leg structure of the collapsible section is` further reinforced by means of a longitudinally extending tie bar 53 which is located in this instance slightly above the pivotal connection 30 between the crossed legs, said tie bar being riveted or otherwise rigidly secured at its ends to the legs 28 at each end of the couch section. The reinforcing structure also includes a crossed pair of straps 64 and S5 which are riveted as indicated at 66 to the tie bar 63 and riveted or otherwise rigidly connected at their ends to the opposite legs 28.

It will be apparent that the reinforcing structure just described serves to very rigidly maintain the leg structure against shifting or angular distortion in the direction of the length of the couch structure.

When the couch structure is collapsed and telescoped to the condition illustrated in Fig. l, the members 5G and 5l of the lazy tong device assume a closed position wherein the ends of the members 5l! and 5I are disposed quite close to each other as indicated in Fig. l. When the collapsible section 25 is .pulled out, the lazy tong device is unfolded or opens up, the ends 55 and 59 thereofv sliding longitudinally inwardly of the respective couch sections as an incident to the outward movement of the movable section. The lazy tong device serves to maintain a parallel predetermined spaced relation between the two couch sections so as to avoid any tendency of the movable section to assume an angular relation to the stationary section wherein it might become bound to the stationary section with resulting diiiculty in completing the withdrawal movement. Because of the considerable length of the lazy tong members Eiland 5l, which may be made of relatively thin metal straps,'they have a tendency to sag intermediate their ends where they are connected. Hence, a supporting caster .61 is secured to the lowermost member 50 in axially aligned arrangement to the, pivot connection 52 between the lazyL tong members. As indicated in Fig. 2, when the couch structure is opened up, the lazy tong members assume a slightly sagged position which is limited by the caster 61 so as to maintain free working` of the lazy tong device.

When the collapsible couch section is in its folded and telescoped condition as shown in Fig. 1, the pin 6I (see Figs. 2 and 3) is disposed approximately in a yertical position, depending from lthe lazy tong end 59 through the slot 62 in the t'e bar 60. The tie bar 60, as best shown in Fig. 1, assumes a position in which its flanges are inclined somewhat to the horizontal and vertical. When the foldablc couch section is extended and raised to its bed position as indicated in Fig. 2, the angle iron tie bar 60 assumes an oppositely inclined angular relation to the horizontal and vertical. The pin 6i, however, remains in a substantially vertical position since the lazy tong device is not materially elevated at its outer end incident to the unfolding of the collapsible section. The shifting angular position of the tie bar 60 is herein utilized to provide a lock for preventing horizontal sidewise movement of the collapsible section after the section is raised to its bed position. Such lock is obtained by securing a pin 68 to the depending side flange of the tie bar 60, said pin projecting inwardly substantially in parallel relation to the top `ange of the tie bar from a point approximately midway of the width of the said depending flange. When the foldable couch section is in its lowered or collapsed condition, the pin 68 will assume a position clear of the path of movement of the pin 6| of the lazy tong device, as best shown in Fig. 5. When the couch section is unfolded or elevated to bed position, the pin 58 will assume a position in the path of movement of said pin 6i substantally as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6. As shown in Fig. 4, the pin 68 is so located that it will lock the lazy tong pin 6I in its position at the inner end of the slot 62, whch is its position only when the couch section is fully extended. The locking means thus described is entirely automatic in its operation, is exceptionally simple and durable in construction, and very eicient for its indicated purpose.

The connection between the end portion 59 of the lazy tong device and the tie bar 6U of the movable couch section may obviously be readily disengaged by simply lifting the said end portion of the lazy tong device to remove the pin 6l from the slot 62. The pivotal connection between the opposite end of the lazy tong device and the movable couch/section also embodies a pivot pin 5t (see Fig. 4) which may readily be removed from an aperture in the top flange of the member of the tie bar 60. Hence when it is desired to use the two couch sections independently of each other, they may be readily disconnected by merely lifting up the two outer ends of the lazy tong device to disengage them from the tie bar 6U of the movable section. Then the lazy tong device may be manually pushed back under the stationary couch section where it is out of the way and substantially concealed. Reconnection of the two couch sections requires merely a reversal of the disconnecting operation which, as indicated, is exceptionally simple, requiring no particular skill,4 strength or tools` When the movable couch section is .withdrawn to the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, it may be raised by applying a slight lifting force to any point around the periphery of the collapsible section. It is merely necessary to initiate the upward movement, whereupon the springs 46 will complete it. It is of course apparent that the springs 46 are under great tension when they are stretched as required in the folded position of the couch as illustrated in Fig. 1, so that they exert a material force tending to raise the couch section. However, the springs are s'elected so that the tension thereof when fully stretched is not quite sufficient to effect raising movement unless assisted to the extent of initiating the upward movement manually as described, or otherwise.

If desired, means may be provided for initiating the raising movement of the collapsible section as an incident to the withdrawal thereof from the stationary section. For this purpose a pawl such as indicated at 69 may be pivoted as indicated at 10 (see Figs. 10 to 13 inclusive). Said pawl acts downwardly against lazy tongs element 59 to exert an upward thrust and in this instance comprises a short length of angle iron having a vertically disposed flange disposed adjacent the depending flange of the main frame member 26 and a horizontally extending flange extending inwardly from the lower edge of the vertical flange. Spring 1|, stretched between a bracket or suitable anchorage carried by the main frame 26 and a headed pin 12 or the like carried by the pawl, serves to normally urge the pawl to swing upwardly toward a position of parallelism with the main frame. The lower or free end 13 of the pawl is adapted to be engaged by a stud br other abutment 14 which is carried by the end portion 59 of the lazy tong device. The stud 14 is so located on the end portion 59 of the lazy tong device that it will engage the free end 13 of the pawl slightly prior to the moment that the movable couch section reaches its fully withdrawn position relative to the stationary section. During the subsequent movement of the movable section to its fully withdrawn position, the inward movement of the stud 14 acts against the lower end of the pawl 69 to force said end inwardly, whereby the pawl acts as a shifting thrust rod and transmits the movement of the stud 14 into upward movement of the main frame 26. Since it is necessary to apply only sufficient force to initiate upward movement of the main frame 26, it will be apparent that the extent of longitudinal movement required of the stud 14 to initiate said upward movement is relatively small as compared with the total length of longitudinal movement of the stud. In Fig. 12 of the drawings, the structure is illustrated in its collapsed condition with the stud 14 shown in full lines in its corresponding outermost position. In dotted lines, the stud 14 is shown in the position which itassumes when it first engages the free end of the pawl 69. In Fig. 1l, the stud 14 is shown approximately in its innermost position. 'I'he pawl `69 and main frame 26 are shown in dotted lines in the position which they would assume relative to the stud 14 if the springs 46 did not act on the structure to complete the raising movement. Whether or not such position occurs as an actual fact is diilicult to determine because the springs 46 exert a raising force at all times and actual raising movement resulting from the spring force may begin before the stud 14 reaches the position illustrated in Fig. 11. In all cases, the springs 46 are designed to start the raising movement of the main frame by the time the stud 14 reaches the position illustrated in Fig. 11, and preferably slightly prior thereto. As soon as the lower end of the pawl 69 is raised above the upper end of the stud 14, the spring 1I pulls the pawl to its free position as illustrated in Fig. 11.

When the collapsible section is lowered or folded, the free end 13 of the pawl 69 .will engage the top end of the stud 14. The pawl will thereby be swung against the tension of the spring 1I to a higher position than that illustrated in Fig.

l11. When the movable section is telescoped into the stationary section, the stud 14 rides outwardly under the bottom of the pawl 69 until it passes the end thereof, whereupon the pawl drops slightly until its free end rests on the top of the end portion 59 of the lazy tong device. The arrangement is preferably such that during the time that the collapsible couch section is folded and telescoped, the pawl will always rest on the top surface of said end portion. Hence the parts will always be in operative relation.

In Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the arrangement is shown as embodying a horizontally movable and foldable couch section which is adapted to be received within the space under the main stationary couch section. In Figs. 8 and 9, the application of the structure herein explained is illustrated as being embodied in an arrangement where the collapsible couch section is normally stationary in respect of horizontal movement, the non-collapsible section being `in this case horizontally movable.

In this arrangement, the leg 28 is shown as embodying the caster 3i, but the leg 29 is provided with an anti-friction tip 15 of rubber or the like which will have a definite tendency to prevent horizontal shifting of the foldable couch section. The provision of the anti-friction tips 15 on the two legs 29 at the ends of the couch serves, of course, to determine the position of the foldable couch section. The casters 3| on the lower ends of the legs 28 permit free movement of the lower ends of said legs across the floor as is required in the 'collapsing or folding of the foldable couch section. Fig. 8 illustrates the movable non-co1- lapsible or main couch section in its position telescopcd over the stationary but foldable section, the movable section being designated 16 and the foldable section being designated 11. In other details of construction the sections 16 and 11 may be substantially the same as the structure described in connection with Figs. 1, 2 and 3. In Figs. 10 to 13 inclusive, the automatic raising mechanism is illustrated as being applied to a couch embodying a non-foldable but movable main section such as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. The details of construction and arrangement of the automatic raising mechanism as illustrated in Figs. 10 to 13 apply without material modification to the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3.

The structure and arrangements herein described result in an unusually easy operating studio couch. It involves no critical adjustments or operations so that no difficulty is experienced in extending the couch to form a full-sized double bed, or in separating the two couch units to provide relatively independent single beds or in collapsing the one section and telescoping the two to confine both sections to the space normally occupied by a single couch.

Changes in the described construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which should be determined by reference to the following claims, the same being construed as broadly as possible consistent with the state of the art.

I claim:

1. A collapsible couch comprising a main frame, pivotally connected crossed legs at opposite ends of said frame, means pivotally connecting the upper ends of said legs to said frame, said pivotal connection for one leg at each end o! the frame comprising a rock arm pivoted at one of its ends to the frame and at its other end to such leg, means on said rock arm for limiting the unfolding movementof said legs to thereby determine the,bed height of the couch when raised, and means operating through said rock arm for eiecting folding movement of said legs.

2. A collapsible couch comprising a main frame, pivotally connected crossed legs at opposite ends of said frame, means pivotally connecting the upper ends of said legsto said frame,

said pivotal connection for one leg at each end of the frame comprising a rock arm pivoted at one of its ends to the frame and at its other end to such leg, means on said rock arm for limiting the unfolding movement of said legs to thereby determine the bed height of the couch when raised, a lever pivoted on said frame and having a link connection with said rock arm for effecting folding movement of said legs.

3. A collapsible couch comprising a main frame, pivotally connected crossed legs at opposite ends of said frame, means pivotally connecting the upper ends of said legs to said frame, said pivotal connection for one leg at each end of the frame comprising a rock arm pivoted at one of its ends to the frame and at its other end to such leg, means for limiting the unfolding movement of said legs to thereby determine the bed height of the couch when raised, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends on said frame adjacent one end thereof, and a link connecting the lower end of said lever and said rock arm, said' lever being operable to effect rocking of said arm to thereby eiect folding of said legs to lower the couch.

4. A studio couch comprising normally sta-,- tionary and movable couch sections, one of which is collapsible so as to t under the other, means for maintaining a predetermined spaced relationship between said sections during movement of the movable section to bed position relative to the stationary section, said means comprising a device having opposite ends connected respectively to said sections, and means operative as an incident to the raising movement of the collapsible section for engaging the adjacent end of said device when the section is fully elevated to lock the collapsible and movable sections against sidewise movement relative to each other.

5. A studio couch comprising normally stationary and horizontally movable couch sections, one of which is collapsible so as to t under the other, and means engageable and disengageable as an incident to raising and lowering movement of the collapsible section for locking the sections against relative horizontal movement when the collapsible section is in raised, bed position, said means comprising co-operating elements respectively having predetermined, substantially fixed relationships to the respective sections and also having relative sliding movement incidental to the horizontal movement between said sections, said elements also having relative rotary movement incidental to raising and lowering movement of said collapsible section, and means carried by one of said elements and adapted to engage the other as an incident to said relative rotary movement therebetween when the collapsible secs tion is raised to normal, bed position, thereby to prevent relative sliding movement between said elements.

6. A studio couch comprising normally stationary and horizontally movable couch sections, one of which is collapsible so as to t under the other, the collapsible section having a main frame and pivotally connected crossed legs at opposite ends thereof, the upper ends of said legs being connected to said frame so as to permit folding and unfolding of the legs about their pivotal connection to each other, a tie bar connecting certain of said legs respectively associated with the opposite ends of the frame, a lazy tong device for maintaining predetermined spaced relationship between said sections during the horizontal movement of the movable sections, said lazy tong having one pair of ends pivoted respectively to said tie bar on the collapsible section and the other section, the other pair of ends of said lazy tong device being connected respectively to said tie bar and other section for sliding movement longitudinally of the sections, the sliding connection between said lazy tong and tie bar comprising an element extending vertically from the lazy tong end and entering a longitudinally extending slot provided in said tie bar, and stop means rigid with said bar and adapted to assume a position in the path of movement of said element when the collapsible section is in raised, bed position, said stop means serving to lock said lazy tong device against adjustment to thereby maintain said sections in predetermined side by side bed position.

7. A studio couch comprising normally stationary and horizontally movable couch sections, one of which is collapsible so as tot underthe other, the collapsible section having a main frame and pivotally connected crossed legs at opposite ends thereof, the upper ends of said legs being connected to said frame so as to permit folding and unfolding of the legs about their pivotal connection to each other, a tie bar connecting certain of said legs respectively associated with thel op,- posite ends of the frame, a lazy tong device for maintaining predetermined spaced relationship dinally of the sections, a pawl pivoted on said main frame and normally urged to approach a horizontal position, and means carried by the end portion of said lazy tong which is slidably connected to said tie bar, for engaging said pawl during the latter part of the horizontal movement of said movable section to urge said pawl to approach a vertical position and thereby to auto-v matically initiate raising of the collapsible section.

8. A studio couch comprising normally stationary and horizontally movable couch sections, one of which is collapsible so as to fit under the other, the collapsible section having a main frame and pivotally connected crossed legs at opposite ends thereof, the upper ends of said legs being connected to said frame so as to permit folding and unfolding of the legs about their pivotal connection to each other, a tie bar connecting certain of said legs respectively associated with the opposite ends of the frame, a lazy tong device for maintaining predetermined spaced relationship between said sections during the horizontal movement of the movable sections, said lazy tong having one pair of ends pivoted respectively to said tie bar on the collapsible section and the other section, the other pair of ends of said lazy tong device being connected respectively to said tie bar and other section for sliding movement longitudinally of the sections, a pawl pivoted on said main irame and normally urged to approach a horizontal position, means carried by the end portion of said lazy tong which is slidably connected to said tie bar, for engaging said pawl during the latter part of the horizontal movement of said movable section to urge said pawl to approach a vertical position and thereby to automatically initiate raising of the collapsible section, and spring means inoperative to effect said raising movement from the fully lowered position of the collapsible section but adequate to continue to completion said raising movement initiated by said pawl means.

9. A studio couch comprising normally stationary and movable couch sections, one of which is collapsible so as to ilt under the other, spring means normally ineffective to raise the collapsible section from its fully lowered position, and means for effecting partial raising of the collapsible couch section comprising means brought into action by relative movement between the sections to uncover the collapsible section for applying raising force to said section to initiate raising movement thereof, said spring means being such as to be operative to continue to completion the raising movement so initiated.

10. A couch bed oi the class described, comprising a pair of telescoping sections relatively movable from a nested position to an extended position wherein they form a bed o! superior size, one of said sections having a vertical/ly movable mattress-supporting frame and spring-actuated means operative to move said trame from a collapsed position to an elevated position, said spring-actuated means being normally inactive when said sections are nested but operative to move said frame from collapsed position to an elevated position after elevating movement has been initiated, the other of said sections having means operative to effect the initial elevating movement when said sections are moved to extended position.

EDWARD E. WOLLER.. 

